Gilles le Breton

Gilles le Breton, the Uniter.

Gilles le Breton also known as Gilles the Uniter and as the Green Knight until the End Times, was the founder of Bretonnia and one of the first Grail Knights.

History

The Bretonni tribe had many years earlier migrated south just prior to the Battle of Black Fire Pass, unwilling to lend any aid to Sigmar's attempts to defend the Old World against the rampaging Greenskins. By the time Gilles was born the Bretonni clan had inhabited the region which is now Bretonnia for over 900 years.^[1]

Ever since the Elves left the region which is now modern-day Brettonia due to the War of the Beard the region had been flooded with the Greenskins. In IC 977, after centuries of infighting between the Bretonni, Gilles proceeded to unite the area and drive out the Orcs and Goblins, fighting twelve significant battles. The Brettonian calendar thus begins when Gilles was crowned King of Brettonia, 977 years after the time of Sigmar and the creation of The Empire.^[1]

At one point Gilles and his Companions came across Abhorash, the two mighty warriors dueled, resulting in the Blood Knight swearing an oath of fealty to Gilles and his people.

Gilles was killed 18 years after he began his battles by a hurled weapon thrown by one of the remaining Orc Warlords near the edge of Athel Loren. As he was dying he had a final vision of the Lady of the Lake, and his followers placed him on a ship in a nearby lake, there he sailed into the mists to do the Lady's bidding for all eternity. It is said he would return in Bretonnia's most dire time of need.^[1]

The Green Knight

The Green Knight was Gilles le Breton's disguise during his time as guardian for The Lady of the Lake. He would later assume his old identity during the End Times, unifying Bretonnia and eventually ascending to godhood alongside Louen Leoncoeur.

It was also said that he is the traditional nemesis of a Questing Knight, duelling them to see if they are worthy of the Lady's blessing, thus allowing them to drink from the Grail. He slew many an impure knight, others like, Calard would prove their worth, becoming mighty Grail Knights

End Times

Bretonnia was in peril, they were without a king, for Louen Leoncoeur had fallen against his own bastard son, Mallobaude the Serpent. Having became a fearsome Vampire, Mallobaude led an army of Dark Knights and undead across Bretonnia slaughtering all in his path. Mallobaude challenged any knights to single combat, slaughtering all who faced him. His final battle would be at Couronne. This time however, it was no worldly knight who stepped forward, but the ethereal Green Knight. Mallobaude and his challenger engaged in a fierce duel, with the Green Knight eventually beheading the Serpent of Mousillon. Deprived of a leader, the rebellion soon crumbled. After the battle, the Green Knight revealed himself to be none other than Gilles le Breton, returning to his people in their hour of greatest need. He was quickly coronated, thus ending Mallobaude's Civil War.

Gilles le Breton would lead Bretonnia's defense during the End Times, with he and the Lady of the Lake appointing Louen Leoncouer as a holy champion. Gilles fought alongside the legendary Abhorash for even he bent knee to the uniter of Bretonnia. In the closing days of the Old World, Bretonnia still stood while the Empire was destroyed. Gilles the Uniter and Abhorash the Vampire fought alongside eachother, armies of the living and dead made a last stand in Bretonnia as the world finally ended. Gilles le Breton would ascend to godhood alongside Louen Leoncoeur, part of The Lady's plan to save humanity.

Weapons and Abilities

Gilles le Breton was a near unstoppable force on the battlefield, even before becoming the Avatar of The Lady he was a mighty warrior, afterwards he was practically unkillable and infused with the powers of an elder god. Being one of the most powerful beings to exist in the old world. No one, be it man or monster ever defeated him in single combat, and he was only known to be equalled once, by the Bretonnian Lord Calard of Garamont. Even Abhorash himself bent knee to Gilles and his companions, with only Landuin said to be the greater knight of Bretonnia.

"The Dolorous Blade" was a mighty sword of immense size and weight, which Gilles weilded with ease. It was capable of destroying enemies in their droves and was infused with magic.

Notes

Gilles le Breton is based very much on the image of King Arthur of British legend, mirroring him in many ways. His twelve battles for example represent King Arthur's wars against the Anglo-Saxons.

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition), ^{Needs Citation}
• 2: Warhammer: Nagash, pgs. 30-31
• Grail Knight by Anthony Reynolds